Council of State (Belmonte)
The Council of State of Belmonte (Luzelese: Conselho de Estado de Belmonte), also known as State Council of Belmonte, is the official advisory body of the president of Belmonte in the exercise of his tenure as head of state.
History
The origins of the Council of State started after the creation of the First Belmontese Republic in 1792, with president Jorge Aranha creating the country's first cabinet in that same year as well as nominating its first members. Through the years, the cabinet would become a simple auxiliary institution to the presidency, advising presidents on specific portfolios when deemed necessary, being a ceremonial post as presidential powers increased over the years, powers which led to the 1828 Coup and the beginning of the Durão dictatorship.
After the Belmontese Revolution years later, liberal and conservative politicians met in Riachuelo to establish long-term stability to the newly-created Second Republic, with both parties agreeing to establish a parliamentary framework with the premier being a cabinet member under a primus inter pares system while the presidency itself would have most of its powers stripped although would remain influential as a mediator of government and opposition interests, leading to the need of the creation of an advisory council with members from both groups to advise the president on political matters and ensure its non-partisan role, thus creating the State Council.
The State Council played an important role in keeping internal stability during the Second Republic until the break-up of the Riachuelo Agreement and the political crisis that unfolded, culminating in the National Renovation Coup and the Berquó dictatorship. During the Berquó regime, both the cabinet and State Council merged into one single organization, only to be created again after the Great War and the establishment of the New Republic, although under a more ceremonial form as most of the presidency's remaining powers were stripped.
Role
The State Council acts as the formal advisory body of the president of Belmonte, assisting him on political matters throughout his term to ensure the role's non-partisan nature and its constitutional obligations.
Members
According to the constitution, the State Council is composed of the premier, the leader of the opposition, the presidents of both houses of the National Congress (Chamber of Deputies and Senate) as well as former presidents.
Current members
| Office | Member |
|---|---|
| President of Belmonte and the Council | Caetano Villa-Lobos |
| Premier of Belmonte | Graça Fonseca |
| Leader of the opposition | João Sócrates |
| President of the Senate | Carlos Marinho |
| President of the Chamber of Deputies | Aline Soares |
| Former presidents | Afonso de Pádua |
| Raposo Noronha |